Gonzalez Wins Majority Decision over Ennis in Miami

--

Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Gonzalez, 16-0 (13), won a majority decision over Philadelphia’s Derek “Pooh” Ennis over 10 rounds Friday night over ESPN2’s first show of 2013 at Magic City Casino, in Miami, FL. Ennis had a problem making weight which is not the first time in his career. After a 15 month lay-off it was no surprise as he tipped the scales at 161 while Gonzalez came in at 152 ¾ for this 154 contracted bout. Ennis tipped the scales at 170 on Wednesday. It cost Ennis $3,000 in fines. The 32 year-old Ennis is 9 years the elder to the 23 year-old Gonzalez.

Ennis came out taking the first round being much busier than Gonzalez and landed 2 overhand rights getting the attention of Gonzalez and letting him know he came to fight. In the second round Gonzalez rallied with two explosive flurries of 6 and 9 punches without return while Ennis was blocking some with gloves held high. Near the end of the round Ennis rallied landing a right followed by a good left hook to the chin of Gonzalez and a straight right at the bell. The third round was similar when Gonzalez started with a straight right to the mid-section of Ennis and landed 7 out of 10 punches putting Ennis on the defense. In the fourth Ennis let Gonzalez out hustle him for the round.

Ennis came back in the fifth round starting with a double left hook. Gonzalez landed 2 right hands to the head in return. Ennis cleaned up on Gonzalez in the last 15 seconds to take the round. Little action in the sixth but Gonzalez took the round. In the seventh Gonzales landed a right cross to the chin. Ennis whose 3 losses were by stoppage stood up to the power of Gonzalez very well. Ennis landed a solid left hook to the chin in taking the round. From the eighth through the tenth Ennis looked fatigued and going through the motions after trailing 4-3 on this writers card after 7 rounds. Like the sixth there was little action until the last 10 seconds when both fighters opened up with Gonzalez winning the round.

In the ninth Gonzalez was countering well as Ennis became the aggressor anticipating he would need a knockout to win. A 3-punch combination ending with a left to the chin got the attention of Ennis as Gonzalez won the round. In the tenth and final round Ennis landed a left-right combination but Gonzalez was busier as both exchanged punches in the last 10 seconds.

Judge Ralph Vidal had it 95-95 but Rich Green had it 98-92 and Toby Tamarkin 97-93, both for Gonzalez. DHB also had it 97-93 for Gonzalez. This writer did not feel Gonzalez lived up to his reputation and Ennis beat himself at the scale. Ennis has too many skills to lose to a Gonzalez but at this stage of his career after 15 months of inactivity it was a tough fight to start back with. ESPN’s Teddy Atlas had it 97-94 Gonzalez with an even fifth round while giving the winner the last 3 rounds. Frank Santore, Jr., served as the referee.

Another PA boxer opened the show from Harrisburg named Josh Bowles, 6-1 (1), taking on Cuban now living in Miami Hairon Socarras, 6-0-1 (5). This was a difficult match to watch as there were too many clinches. Referee Max Parker, Jr., had his hand’s full the first 2 rounds separating the boxers. Socarras seemed to have the edge but didn’t live up to his reputation. Coming to the US at 11 was too young of an age to be Cuban taught. In the third round with Bowles chin “in the air” the entire fight, got hit with a 3-punch combination and hit the canvas. It seemed he may have beat the count but referee Parker waved it off at 2:11 of the third in a scheduled 4. There was no way Bowles was going to overcome losing the first two and hitting the canvas in the third.

In the main event Cuban Rances Barthelemy, 18-0 (12), out of Miami, won by scores of 116-112 (twice) and 115-113 over Arash Usmanne, 20-1 (10), Afghanistan born and fighting out of Montreal, CAN. This was a 12 rounder for the IBF super featherweight #2 spot. Santore also was the referee in this one.